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Newly elected Connecticut Governor Dannel [sic] Malloy, the first (ironically) Democratic governor of the state in 20 years, released his proposed budget yesterday, and it eliminates ALL state funding of ADAP. No wait lists, no change in income qualifications, no change in formulary--just no state funding period. Since ADAP is funded by the federal government (if the Republicans in Washington let it) and the state government, it would appear that Connecticut could be the first state, I believe, to have NO ADAP program whatsoever. Nada. From The Connecticut Mirror:

"The budget also eliminates state funding for the Connecticut AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which supplements federal funding to cover the cost of antiretroviral drugs and drugs that prevent infections related to HIV and AIDS. The administration said the state money--$606,678 a year--is not necessary because of the available federal dollars, and said many people served by the program are now eligible for the new Medicaid program for low-income adults.

"But Shawn M. Lang, director of public policy for the Connecticut AIDS Resource Coalition, said the change could leave some people who rely on the program without coverage. The drug assistance program covers people up to 400 percent of the poverty level, well beyond the Medicaid income limit. The program also helps some people who have private insurance that does not cover AIDS medication.

"'That is of grave concern to us for the state to completely eliminate their investment in a program that saves people's lives," Lang said. Noting Malloy's pledges not to shred the safety net, she added, 'That's a significant tear in the safety net for people with AIDS.'"

I've been trying to find out since yesterday what "the available federal dollars" refers to but with no luck. Since I (barely) don't qualify for Medicaid with my age-related Social Security, and the Big Pharma assistance programs can't be used with Medicare Part D, I--and many others, I'm sure--may be in very serious trouble.

No one here expected this, and we supported and voted for Malloy. Most of the media here have not really begun to cover this issue yet, because their main concern so far has been the increases in various taxes. I suspect this could become national news, because, as far as I know, it's the first time a state has attempted to defund their state ADAP 100%. If I'm wrong, please let me know.

Logged

"No one will ever be free so long as there are pestilences."--Albert Camus, "The Plague"

"Mankind can never be free until the last brick in the last church falls on the head of the last priest."--Voltaire

I suspect this could become national news, because, as far as I know, it's the first time a state has attempted to defund their state ADAP 100%. If I'm wrong, please let me know.

SC tried to defund ADAP, HIV prevention, childhood inoculations, restaurant and nursing home inspections to name just a few programs when they were voting on FY2010. They tried again when voting on FY2011 (which starts in April). Both times last minute reprieves (that I like to believe where helped by two rallies on vote days on the steps of the state capital bldg in Columbia) stopped this disaster. Also the VA governor proposed just a month or two ago to defund all of ADAP and let Medicaid and the pharmaceuticals continue to pick up the slack. This is the same strategy the VA government is already using as it stopped all further ADAP enrollment and is going to dis-enroll over 760 people. (And, of course, Florida's ADAP program is bankrupt, which isn't all that much different from being defunded.)

Welcome to the growing crowd of states, Connecticut Sounds like time to start some rallies up there too.

Logged

leatherman (aka mIkIE)

All the stars are flashing high above the seaand the party is on fire around you and meWe're gonna burn this disco down before the morning comes- Pet Shop Boys chart from 1992-2015Isentress/Prezcobix

Newly elected Connecticut Governor Dannel [sic] Malloy, the first (ironically) Democratic governor of the state in 20 years, released his proposed budget yesterday, and it eliminates ALL state funding of ADAP. No wait lists, no change in income qualifications, no change in formulary--just no state funding period. Since ADAP is funded by the federal government (if the Republicans in Washington let it) and the state government, it would appear that Connecticut could be the first state, I believe, to have NO ADAP program whatsoever.

This bad azz may not know how awful disease is AIDS to human beings. How on earth a public elected official take such a cruel measures against its own people. He is not less than President Sadam Hussien of Iraq who has brutally murdered his people. I feel like it is a death sentence on the citizens of Connecticut. Whose wellbeing he is standing for. Just sorry and hope he will be responsible for. How can he let people die on the street where there are life saving medicines available in the country.

These ADAP cuts, threatened and to come, at the state level, across the country, seem like political power plays about budgets. Its immoral to make people live in fear, or even be cut from medicine, for such ends.

Since Obama care is coming on line in these coming years, I wonder how exactly this shakes out -- which government is responsible for which costs? I feared years of uncertainty, and it seems to be coming true. I don't feel like state governments want people to suffer and die - but do believe that strapped states are willing to take risks, such as some hurt, to get what they need.

Its probably going to be in so many areas - education, too, police, environment, etc etc. Unless tax receipts are going to improve.